Arundhati Roy's Works: A Journey Through Politics, Trauma, and Liberation
If you're a fan of thought-provoking literature that tackles the complexities of modern India, then Arundhati Roy's works are a must-read. The point of writing about Roy is to be unpopular, but her writings have indeed been polarising – she has become one of the most prominent critics of the Indian government and Hindu nationalism.
For those new to Roy's oeuvre, her debut novel "The God of Small Things" (1997) serves as a perfect introduction to her major political concerns, including environmental damage, caste, and colonial violence. The novel follows fraternal twins Rahel and Estha who reunite as adults after a tragic event separates them in childhood, highlighting the ways politics infiltrates love and intimacy.
However, for those looking for something more personal, Roy's 2025 memoir "Mother Mary Comes To Me" is an essential read. In this sweeping account of her writing career, observations of a changing India, and the enduring complexities of the mother-daughter relationship, Roy documents her tumultuous childhood with her mother, who was a force in her own right.
Another notable work by Roy is her essay collection "Azadi: Fascism, Fiction and Freedom in the Time of the Virus". In this piece, she explores the purpose of fiction in times of growing authoritarianism. Particular standouts include her overview of the origins and growth of the Hindutva movement, where she argues that it's only through fiction alone that we can accurately depict the lives of people who are suppressed and silenced.
While some of Roy's works may be sprawling in structure, her writing is always concerned with how we find love, self-expression, and liberation in times of political suppression. If you're short on time, "Walking With the Comrades" (2011) is a strong choice – this reportage piece follows Roy as she travels through Central India with a group of Naxalite indigenous rebels.
Ultimately, if you only read one of Roy's works, it should be her essay collection "Azadi". Half literary criticism, half polemic, this book compiles her thoughts on the purpose of fiction in times of growing authoritarianism. In it, she argues that it's only through fiction alone that we can accurately depict the lives of people who are suppressed and silenced – a message that resonates deeply with anyone looking for a voice in the wilderness.
For fans of Roy, there is no shortage of thought-provoking literature to sink your teeth into. From her debut novel to her latest memoirs, Roy's works are a testament to her unflinching gaze on the world and her commitment to telling stories that need to be told.
If you're a fan of thought-provoking literature that tackles the complexities of modern India, then Arundhati Roy's works are a must-read. The point of writing about Roy is to be unpopular, but her writings have indeed been polarising – she has become one of the most prominent critics of the Indian government and Hindu nationalism.
For those new to Roy's oeuvre, her debut novel "The God of Small Things" (1997) serves as a perfect introduction to her major political concerns, including environmental damage, caste, and colonial violence. The novel follows fraternal twins Rahel and Estha who reunite as adults after a tragic event separates them in childhood, highlighting the ways politics infiltrates love and intimacy.
However, for those looking for something more personal, Roy's 2025 memoir "Mother Mary Comes To Me" is an essential read. In this sweeping account of her writing career, observations of a changing India, and the enduring complexities of the mother-daughter relationship, Roy documents her tumultuous childhood with her mother, who was a force in her own right.
Another notable work by Roy is her essay collection "Azadi: Fascism, Fiction and Freedom in the Time of the Virus". In this piece, she explores the purpose of fiction in times of growing authoritarianism. Particular standouts include her overview of the origins and growth of the Hindutva movement, where she argues that it's only through fiction alone that we can accurately depict the lives of people who are suppressed and silenced.
While some of Roy's works may be sprawling in structure, her writing is always concerned with how we find love, self-expression, and liberation in times of political suppression. If you're short on time, "Walking With the Comrades" (2011) is a strong choice – this reportage piece follows Roy as she travels through Central India with a group of Naxalite indigenous rebels.
Ultimately, if you only read one of Roy's works, it should be her essay collection "Azadi". Half literary criticism, half polemic, this book compiles her thoughts on the purpose of fiction in times of growing authoritarianism. In it, she argues that it's only through fiction alone that we can accurately depict the lives of people who are suppressed and silenced – a message that resonates deeply with anyone looking for a voice in the wilderness.
For fans of Roy, there is no shortage of thought-provoking literature to sink your teeth into. From her debut novel to her latest memoirs, Roy's works are a testament to her unflinching gaze on the world and her commitment to telling stories that need to be told.
. I love how she tackles the tough topics like politics, trauma, and liberation in her works. Her writing style might not always be easy to follow, but that's because she's not afraid to get messy and confrontational 
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. Her work might be polarizing, but it's always thought-provoking and makes me want to engage with the world around me more critically 
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. Overall, if you're looking for thought-provoking literature that will challenge your perspectives and make you think more deeply about the world around you, then Arundhati Roy's works are definitely worth checking out 
. I think what resonates with me most about her work is how she tackles the complexities of modern India with such honesty and vulnerability. Like, have you read "Mother Mary Comes To Me"? That book is like a time capsule of her writing journey, and it's so inspiring to see how she's unapologetically told her own story 
. And let's be real, who needs easy answers when you can have a writer who asks the tough questions and demands we think critically about the world around us? 
? Like, you can't even form words because everything just hits you at once 
. The thing is, she doesn't sugarcoat anything. She writes about the hard stuff: politics, trauma, and liberation 
. Her writing may not always be easy to read, but it's definitely worth it – because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about: giving voice to those who need it most 
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. And honestly, reading "Azadi" has made me realize just how important it is to have a voice for those who are being silenced 
. We need more writers like Arundhati Roy in the world, spreading awareness and inspiring change 
just read this about Arundhati Roy and I'm totally obsessed! 
i'm obsessed with her essay collection "azadi" it's like the ultimate guide to how we can use fiction to fight against authoritarianism what a queen 
she's literally speakin straight to ur soul & makin u think like never b4. i know some people might say she's polarizin but honestly, who needs all dat drama? 
azadi is the real deal, trust me 
. Roy's work is like a counter-narrative to that conversation - she argues that fiction has the power to speak truth to power and give voice to those who've been silenced 
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. I mean don't get me wrong, her writings are thought-provoking and all that jazz, but can we talk about how she's basically a one-woman protest against the Indian government? 
It's like she's trying to single-handedly take down Hindu nationalism with her books... newsflash, Aru (that's what I'll call you 
), it takes more than just good writing to spark real change 
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There have been some pretty heated debates about the accuracy of her reporting on certain topics, like the Naxalite movement. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great to have a strong voice in literature that challenges us to think about these issues, but let's make sure we're not just accepting everything she says as gospel truth 
. Her writing is like a puzzle, slowly revealing its pieces as you read through her books 
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. And then there's her essay collection "Azadi", which is like a masterful puzzle, with each piece fitting perfectly into the next 
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. And have you seen the way her books are structured? Some of them can be super sprawling, but that's part of what I love about them 
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